Underground shelter



Allg- 1964 A. JAHA UNDERGROUND SHELTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18,1962 AT m m. a 40 a. 44 Q 2 a W M. I. M .m. N F W .114 o w x x 9 l 5 2 33 3 x w INVENTOR. wanm J M m A g. 5 'MAHA 3,145,640

UNDERGROUND SHELTER United States Patent 3,145,640 UNDERGROUND SHELTERAhmed Jaha, Stanley, N. Dak.

Filed May 18, 1962, Ser. No, 195,831 2 Claims. (CI. 98-33) Thisinvention relates to new and useful improvements in underground sheltersand has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafterset forth, a reinforced masonry structure of this character which iscapable of withstanding nuclear bombings and protecting its occupantstherefrom and from subsequent fall-out for a considerable length oftime.

Another highly important object of the present invention is to providean improved shelter of the aforementioned character comprising a novelventilating system for ensuring an adequate supply of fresh, filteredair for as long as it may be needed.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide aventilated nuclear bomb shelter of the character described to whichaccess is had from the basement of an immediately adjacent or adjoininghouse or other building.

Other objects are to provide an underground shelter of the character setforth which is of comparatively simple construction, strong, durable,fireproof, comfortable and which may be constructed at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through a shelter constructed inaccordance with the present invention, takensubstantially on the line 11of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is a view in horizontal section through the shelter;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view through the intake air duct, takensubstantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view through the exhaust air duct andthe adjacent portion of the roof structure, taken substantially on theline 4-4 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view through the manual air suctionfan;

FIGURE 6 is a view in transverse section through the fan, takensubstantially on the line 66 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale throughthe air filter, taken substantially on the line 77 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that referencenumeral 8 designates generally the masonry basement of a house or otherbuilding. The basement 8 includes a concrete foundation wall 9 risingfrom a floor 10, said wall 9 having an opening or passage 11 therein.

The shelter of the present invention comprises a reinforced concretefloor 12 of suitable dimensions. As shown to advantage in FIGURE 1 ofthe drawing, the floor slab 12 is poured below the level of the floor18. The upper surface of the floor 12 slopes to a drain 13 which maydischarge into a suitable gravel well 14 or the like beneath said fioor.'Reference numeral 15 indicates a footing for the floor 12. If desired,the slab or floor 12 may include a suitable finish floor. Wherenecessary, the floor 12'may be poured on a suitable plastic sealingfilm.

Rising from the floor 12 are front, rear or back and "Ice side walls 16,17 and 18, respectively. The wall 16 has an elevated opening or passage19 therein aligned with the opening or passage 11. Thus, the shelter iscommunicated with the basement 8. A suitable fire door 20 is provided inthe opening 19. Steps 21 are provided from the floor 12 to the opening19.

Mounted on the walls. 16, 17 and 18 is a concrete roof 22. The roof 22is covered to the desired depth with a fill 23 of earth or othersuitable material. The roof 22 is strengthened by crossed reinforcingrods 24. The end portions 25 of the rods 24 extend downwardly into thewalls 16, 17 and 18 for tying said walls and the roof 22 together. Abovethe reinforcing rods 24, the roof 22 is further strengthened by areinforcing mesh 26. The roof 22 is tied or anchored to the basementwall 9 at 27.

A vertical air intake pipe 28 extends through the roof 22 and fill 23 toa point above the surface of the ground and terminates at its upper endin a T-head 29 comprising downturned screened end portions 30. The airintake pipe 28 is positively anchored at 31 in the roof 22. The pipe 28extends downwardly adjacent the rear wall 17 to a point adjacent to butspaced above the floor 12 and the lower or outlet end of said pipe isprovided with a removable cap 32 the loss of which is prevented by achain 33. Interposed in the air intake pipe 28, adjacent the roof 22 isa filter cartridge or unit 34. The cartridge or unit 34 is readilyremovable for replacement and a hinged door 35 provides access thereto.

Projecting horizontally from the lower portion of the air intake pipe 28is an outlet branch 36. A manually actuated suction fan 37 is providedon the discharge end of the branch 36.

Also extending through the roof 22, adjacent the front wall 16, is arelatively short air outlet or exhaust pipe 38. The exhaust pipe 38 isanchored at 39 in the roof 22. The lower end of the pipe 38 is flushwith the undersurface of the roof 22. The upper end portion of the eX-haust pipe 38 is substantially similar to that of the intake pipe 28,comprising a T-head 40 which terminates in downturned screened endportions 41.

It is thought that the use or operation of the shelter will be readilyapparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Of course, when an alarmis received the shelter is entered through the aligned passages 11 and19 past the fire door 20. Reference numeral 42 designates a baffle wallin the shelter in front of the fire door 28. When the shelter is in usewarm air therein rises in the usual manner and passes to the atmospherethrough the outlet or exhaust pipe 28. Thus, with the cap 32 removed,fresh air from the atmosphere is drawn downwardly through the inlet pipe28 into the shelter, said incoming air passing through the filter 34.Or, if desired, the cap 32 may be applied to the lower end of the pipe28 and the suction fan 37 may then be actuated for drawing air throughthe pipe 28 into the shelter. When the air from the atmosphere is thusdrawn by force into the shelter the air in said shelter is ejectedtherefrom through the discharge pipe 38. In the installation shown, atongue and groove joint 43 is provided between the shelter floor 12 andthe upstanding walls 16, 17 and 18. This joint may be further sealed inany suitable manner at 44. The bathe wall 42 will shield occupants ofthe shelter from any direct blast through the openings 11 and 19. Ofcourse, the enclosure or shelter, which may be of various dimensions, isto be suitably equipped and supplied for occupancy by one or morepersons.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a building structure embodying a basement having afloor and at least one vertical wall, said vertical wall being providedwith an escape opening, an underground fallout shelter cooperable withsaid basement wall and comprising a floor, front, rear and side wallsand a roof cooperating with said walls, said front wall abutting thevertical wall of said basement and having an entrance and exit doorwaytherein in communication with said escape opening, said doorway beingprovided with a fire door, a vertical bafiie wall marginally joined tothe floor, roof and one side wall and spaced from said doorway andhaving one vertical edge spaced from an interior surface of the otherside wall and permitting occupants to gain access to said shelter, thelevel of said floor being in a plane below the level of the basementfloor and that portion of the shelter and floor thereof which isadjacent to and in alignment with said doorway being provided withsteps, and ventilating means for the interior of said shelter comprisingan atmospheric air intake and supply conduit extending from a pointabove ground level and vertically downward through said roof and intothe interior of said shelter, an air exhaust conduit extending throughthe roof and affording communication between the interior of saidshelter and the atmosphere, the upper end of said exhaust pipe likewiseextending to a level above the ground, the upper end of each conduithaving an integrally mounted tubular horizontal crossheadcommunicatively connected to said upper end, the respective outward endsof said crosshead having downturned screen-covered end portions, an airsuction fan communicatively connected to said air intake conduit andadapted to deliver atmospheric air therethrough into the interior ofsaid shelter, a readily insertable and removable filter cartridge fittedthrough an opening provided therefor in said intake conduit, and a doorhingedly mounted on said conduit and normally closing said opening andaffording access to said cartridge, said opening, door and cartridgebeing disposed in a plane above the plane of said suction fan.

2. In combination, a building structure embodying a basement having afloor and at least one vertical wall, said vertical wall being providedwith an escape opening, an underground fallout shelter cooperable withsaid basement wall and comprising a floor, front, rear and side wallsand a roof cooperating with said walls, said front wall abutting thevertical wall of said basement and having an entrance and exit doorwaytherein in communication with said escape opening, said doorway beingprovided with a fire door, a vertical baffle wall marginally joined tothe floor, roof and one side wall and spaced from said doorway andhaving one vertical edge spaced from an interior surface or the otherside wall and permitting occupants to gain access to said shelter, thelevel of said floor being in a plane below the level of the basementfloor and that portion of the shelter and floor thereof which isadjacent to and in alignment with said doorway being provided withsteps, ventilating means for said shelter comprising a first verticallydisposed pipe having a median portion extending through said roof, anupper portion extending above the level of the roof and provided on itsupper end with a horizontal tubular crosshead having downturned outerends with screened air intake openings, said pipe having a lower portiondepending into said shelter adjacent and parallel to an interior surfaceof a cooperating end wall and provided on an elevated median portionwith a lateral air supply and delivery branch, a suction fan operativelyand communicatively mounted on the discharge end of said branch andhaving a manually operable handcrank, an optionally usable closure capremovably mounted on the extreme lower end portion of said pipe, achangeable filter removably mounted in the passage of the pipe andaccessible to the occupant, and an exhaust pipe having an intake endportion mounted in said roof and flush with the underneath surface ofthe roof, the upper end of said exhaust pipe being communicable with theatmosphere and having a horizontal tubular crosshead having downturnedterminal ends covered by screens.

Leaflet entitled Clay Masonry Family Fallout Shelters, Ofiice of Civiland Defense Mobilization, February 1960.

1. IN COMBINATION, A BUILDING STRUCTURE EMBODYING A BASEMENT HAVING AFLOOR AND AT LEAST ONE VERTICAL WALL, SAID VERTICAL WALL BEING PROVIDEDWITH AN ESCAPE OPENING, AN UNDERGROUND FALLOUT SHELTER COOPERABLE WITHSAID BASEMENT WALL AND COMPRISING A FLOOR, FRONT, REAR AND SIDE WALLSAND A ROOF COOPERATING WITH SAID WALLS, SAID FRONT WALL ABUTTING THEVERTICAL WALL OF SAID BASEMENT AND HAVING AN ENTRANCE AND EXIT DOORWAYTHEREIN IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ESCAPE OPENING, SAID DOORWAY BEINGPROVIDED WITH A FIRE DOOR, A VERTICAL BAFFLE WALL MARGINALLY JOINED TOTHE FLOOR, ROOF AND ONE SIDE WALL AND SPACED FROM SAID DOORWAY ANDHAVING ONE VERTICAL EDGE SPACED FROM AN INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE OTHERSIDE WALL AND PERMITTING OCCUPANTS TO GAIN ACCESS TO SAID SHELTER, THELEVEL OF SAID FLOOR BEING IN A PLANE BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE BASEMENTFLOOR AND THAT PORTION OF THE SHELTER AND FLOOR THEREOF WHICH ISADJACENT TO AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID DOORWAY BEING PROVIDED WITHSTEPS, AND VENTILATING MEANS FOR THE INTERIOR OF SAID SHELTER COMPRISINGAN ATMOSPHERIC AIR INTAKE AND SUPPLY CONDUIT EXTENDING FROM A POINTABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND VERTICALLY DOWNWARD THROUGH SAID ROOF AND INTOTHE INTERIOR OF SAID SHELTER, AN AIR EXHAUST CONDUIT EXTENDING THROUGHTHE ROOF AND AFFORDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAIDSHELTER AND THE ATMOSPHERE, THE UPPER END OF SAID EXHAUST PIPE LIKEWISEEXTENDING TO A LEVEL ABOVE THE GROUND, THE UPPER END OF EACH CONDUITHAVING AN INTEGRALLY MOUNTED TUBULAR HORIZONTAL CROSSHEADCOMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID UPPER END, THE RESPECTIVE OUTWARD ENDSOF SAID CROSSHEAD HAVING DOWNTURNED SCREEN-COVERED END PORTIONS, AN AIRSUCTION FAN COMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID AIR INTAKE CONDUIT ANDADAPTED TO DELIVER ATMOSPHERIC AIR THERETHROUGH INTO THE INTERIOR OFSAID SHELTER, A READILY INSERTABLE AND REMOVABLE FILTER CARTRIDGE FITTEDTHROUGH AN OPENING PROVIDED THEREFOR IN SAID INTAKE CONDUIT, AND A DOORHINGEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID CONDUIT AND NORMALLY CLOSING SAID OPENING ANDAFFORDING ACCESS TO SAID CARTRIDGE, SAID OPENING, DOOR AND CARTRIDGEBEING DISPOSED IN A PLANE ABOVE THE PLANE OF SAID SUCTION FAN.